Buying Fine Art - a primer

                                                                                                                                         © 2010-14  Tom Baillieul

REASONS FOR BUYING FINE ART

•  because a piece “speaks” to you
• you like the idea of surrounding yourself with beauty or with thought provoking works of the imagination
• art defines us as a species; it makes life fuller and richer

 REASONS FOR NOT BUYING FINE ART

•  as an investment (95% of all art won’t appreciate significantly over time)
• you need something to go over the couch or to match the upholstery
• as a status symbol or to impress your peers - buying what’s “in” or trendy

 
WHAT IS ART? 

In the broadest sense, it’s the tangible product of an artist, or someone wanting to be considered an artist. It also needs to demonstrate a high level of technical proficiency. Such a definition covers a lot of territory and leads to the inevitable question: “What is good art?”

 Good art may be decorative or thought provoking, realistic or abstract, brilliantly colored or subdued.  Good art speaks to your soul.  Good art is durable and lasting, created by an artist who has achieved a high level of technical skill and critical acclaim (may only be local), and who produces consistent, high quality works. The best art is the product of an artist who’s art continually grows in depth, complexity, virtuosity, and imagination. 

 
HOW TO START

•  as with any exciting new endeavor, take time to become knowledgeable. After all, baseball or football are more enjoyable if you understand the rules of the game and who the players are. Go to galleries and museums; look at the many different types and styles of art. Take an art appreciation course; begin assembling a library of art books.
•  make a commitment to have art become a part of your life – you won’t regret it.
•  if there are specific styles or schools of art that appeal to you, go for more in-depth understanding. Learn about the artists, the techniques and materials used (you may be amazed).
• start small - buy photographs, lithographs and other limited edition prints, especially by local artists; drawings and watercolors are also a good place to start as they tend to be less expensive.
• get on mailing lists for arts organizations and start attending openings and shows; it can make for a fun evening and you'll begin to develop an eye for what you like.
• cultivate relationships with gallery owners and the artists themselves; the joy of owning an art work is enhanced by knowing something about the creative talent and inspiration behind it.
• remember, buy what you really like; not what someone else says you should like.

SOME RESOURCES TO GET YOU STARTED

 Sister Wendy's 1000 masterpieces by Sister Wendy Beckett,1st American ed., New York : DK Pub., 1999.

 “Sister Wendy, the complete collection” / a BBC Video production (2002).

Art across the ages, Ori Z. Soltes, 2006, The Teaching Company DVD lecture series.

 The Power of Art, by Simon Schama; book (2006) and DVD series (2007)

 “Connect, Then Collect” by Michelle Falkenstein, ARTnews, January 2007, Vol. 106, Number 1. p. 102-105.

“The Private Life of a Masterpiece”, 2005, BBC 2 Entertain Video, the complete seasons 1 – 5, 7 DVDs.

Lectures on individual artists and art history in self-study DVDs from the Great Courses company [aka the Teaching Company]® through your local library or on-line .

TIPS – LOOK FOR LASTING “VALUE”

•  Get to know the artist - cultivate a relationship. Also, seek to build personal ties to various galleries that hang art that appeals to you.
• Buying through a gallery may add to the price, but the gallery owner will have done a lot of the legwork for you. Galleries will stand behind the quality of a piece and are also a good source of information on display and conservation.
• Resist “sales jobs” where you’re pressured to buy something by the hot artist of the month. Listen to your “gut”.
• Go to juried shows - a highly knowledgeable person, the juror, has already determined that these artworks are a cut above the rest. These shows can also be a good place to get a bargain.
• Avoid “comfort art” - art that fades into the background over time. In this category are: 

            - pieces designed to shock, but which lose their shock value after one or two viewings 

            - paintings bought because they match upholstery or carpets 

            - paintings/statuary that are “pretty” or “cute”, but shallow
 

• Take your time. Impulse purchases are potentially disappointing. The “right” piece of art is one you keep going back to - one that sticks in your mind, even if you don’t know why.
• If a piece you’ve been contemplating for a while gets sold to someone else, don’t despair. Chances are you’ll be attracted to other works by the same artist and, if you develop a personal relationship, she/he may be willing to create a special piece just for you.
• Take the time to become knowledgeable - art is not mysterious; it’s part of what makes us human.
• Understand how to care properly for an artwork, e.g., never place a drawing, print, or painting in a spot that gets direct sunlight. ALL 2-D artwork will fade or discolor under the effects of ultra-violet light. Some ceramics and plastics may also be affected [see the fact sheet on caring for your art for more information].